Willis a



(No Model.)

. W. A. BARNES. CARRIAGE FORMAIIL BAGS.

W'hweesee. v M Q lwoenco-r. W Mw Willis Rh mes UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE.

- WILLIS A. BARNES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CARRIAGE FOR MAIL-BAGS.

SIEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 245,119, dated August 2, 1881.

- Application-filed May 21, 1881. (No model.)

have invented new and useful Improvements in Carriages for Mail-Bags, &c., of which thev following is a specification.

The primary object of my invention is to produce a wheeled hand vehicle for carrying [O the bag used in collecting mailmatter from lamp post boxes and other places, or for carrying articles of merchandise, which shall be light in its construction, easily propelled, and adapted to fold into a small compass. My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a sideelevation. Fig. 2 is a plan or top view. Fig. 3- is a detail view of the catch. Fig. 4 is a like view of the hooks. 7

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts. The letter A designates a reach, the forward end of which is connected to'the main wheel 13, and which, together with a frame 0, con- 2 5 stitutes the body of the vehicle. The frame O carries the hind wheels, D, two in number, at its lower end, and it is connected to the reach A at its upper end by a pivot, 5. From the reach A to an intermediate portion of the hind-wheel frame, B, extends a brace, E, which has a pivotal connection with both the reach and frame, and is jointed about midway of its length, as at 6. The reach A extends rearward beyondthe point of its con- 3 5 nection with the frame 0, and on the rear end thereof is arranged an extensible push-handle, F, which is preferably curved lengthwise, and which, in this example, slides through an eye, 7, fixed to the reach, while it is provided with 40 a similar eye, 8, embracing and sliding on the reach. The arrangement of this handle, however, is subject to modifications which will readily suggest themselves .to a skilled mechanic. The letter G designates a catch hinged to the reach, as at 10, and H designaites hooks fixed to the reach at its opposite s1 es.

When the hind-wheel frame (1 is thrown back on its pivot 5 away from the main wheel, and the brace E is extended, the parts are retained in the proper relative positions to allow the vehicle to be propelled by taking hold of the push-handle F, while, if the brace is folded on its joint 6, the hind-wheelframe can be swung toward and brought under the reach, thus bringing the whole into a small compass or area, which can be further reduced by sliding the handle inward upon the reach. The principal object of the sliding or extensible handle, however, is to accommodate the vehicle to difierent persons, as to a man or a boy, and by curving the handle it can be varied not only in length, but also ini'ts height from the ground.

When the carriage is used for collecting mail-matter the mail-bags are simply hung on the hooks H, one for letters and the other for newspapers, &c., and in that event the catch is bifurcated, as at 11, so that it is adapted to engage alamp-post, and thus hold the vehicle in place during the time the mail-matter is bein g taken from the lamp-post box and deposited in the bags. The importance of this catch will be better understood when it is considered that a large number of the collectors of mailmatter are selected from those persons having but one arm, which, of course, is left free when the catch is brought into use; and also that the streets often deviate from a level surface to an inclined plane, making it necessary to check the vehicle.

When the carriage is used for collecting or delivering articles of merchandise-as, for ex ample, packages of dry-goods-the catch may be constructed to be locked to a railing, gratin g, or other place on either side of the vehicle, and in that case, moreover, a latch or look or other similar device may be substituted for the hooks H for securing to the article a box or other receptacle.

The hind wheels, D, are fixed to independent axles 12, having their bearings I connected to the base part of the frame 0 by swivel-joints 13. By this arrangement of the bearings I the hind wheels, D, are allowed to. follow the track or course of the main wheel B; or, in other words, they are .not liable to steer or throw the carriage out of its course, which is the case when the hind wheels of a carriage are placed on a common axle having fixed bearings.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the reach having its forward end connected to the main wheel, the hindwheel frame having a pivotal connection with the reach, and the folding-brace extending from the reach to the frame.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the reach having its forward end connected to the main wheel, the extensible push-handle arranged on the rear end of the reach, the hind wheel frame having a pivotal connection with the reach and the foldingbrace extending from the reach to the frame.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the reach having its forward end connected to the main wheel, the

WILLIS A. BARNES.

Witnesses:

JAMES A. WALTER, THOMAS J. CUDMOURE. 

